The Last Laugh novel Chapter 68

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Ace's POV:

After a clean shower and good breakfast, I settled to tell Heather everything she wanted to know.

"What happened? After you escaped from the ranch?" she asked me.

I told her everything that had happened. The woods, the wooden house that turned out to be Victor's and everything else. She was silent. She looked at me, tears in her eyes.

I stared at her, a little surprised.

"Why are you crying?" I asked, reaching out to touch her.

"I– I thought you were dead. I'm sorry I stopped believing. I'm so sorry," she began to sob, breaking me into pieces. I hated seeing her cry or sad.

"Don't cry, baby," I held her hands and pulled her towards me, "I'm alive and with you. Don't cry. Please."

I hugged her tight and kissed her forehead, calming her down. She held me back. After some minutes, she calmed down.

"You're right," she sniffed and smiled sweetly at me, wiping her tears, "I should stop crying and live the present. Sheridan, you're with me now," she gave me a soft kiss.

"Now tell me, how you changed identity. How you grew up. Tell me your plans. How will you get what's yours, back?"

"It's easier than I thought," I started.

I took my time and explained all what I'd accomplished so far. How I'd succeeded in gaining Sawyer's affection and Christina's trust.

She was surprised.

"But you should've told me all this! Why did you hide it from me?" she wondered.

"Heather, I was afraid. They're still your family. Christina remains your mother. I was afraid you might tell her."

She stared at me and got out of my grip.

"How could you think that? Sheridan, I love you. I want you to get what is rightfully yours. I always have. My mother will have to pay for all the harm she's caused you," she caressed my face, "She even deserves jail time. You went through a lot. I–" she began to sob again. I wrapped her in my arms again.

"Shh, don't cry. Please."

"I'm so ashamed of my family. My mom is– she is– a devil. I know!"

I hugged her tight.

Heather's POV:

It hurt but I knew better. I also knew that Sheridan had discovered a lot but was hiding some information from me. I had to convince him to tell me everything. Even if it would hurt me.

"Sheridan?"

"Yes."

"Tell me everything you discovered about my mother."

He looked at me.

"But–"

"No. No more secrets. I want to know everything. Even if it means helping you to send her to prison, I will do it! She deserved anything that will befall her," I admitted through tears.

After long hesitation, he gave in.

In shock, I listened to everything he'd discovered about my mother. He even showed me recorded conversations between she, Elijah and Rob. He told me everything, sparing nothing.

I was broken. I was disappointed.

I'd just discovered that my mother had poisoned my father, her own husband! And that she'd also ordered for uncle Paul's murder.

As I watched the videos, I was shocked. I felt like I was going to have an anxiety attack.

"Stop," I sobbed and he quickly stopped the video.

I hugged him tight, clinging to him and crying all my pain against his chest. He consoled me.

"I'm sorry you had to discover all this," he whispered, holding me tight.

I couldn't stop crying. But somewhere within me, while growing up, I knew my mother was capable of such horrific things. All for money. Sheridan had just confirmed my worst fears.